Contingencies Number Of Tobacco Related Cases Pending Against Us And/Or Our Subsidiaries Or Indemnitees (Details)	May 01, 2012	May 01, 2011	May 01, 2010
Individual Smoking And Health Cases [Member]
Cases brought against PM	76	93	119
Smoking And Health Class Actions [Member]
Cases brought against PM	10	11	9
Health Care Cost Recovery Actions [Member]
Cases brought against PM	10	11	10
Public Civil Actions [Member]
Cases brought against PM	3	5	10